Chapter 89

Compared to the loss of control during the recording of the show and the slight pain and itching on his feet, which would probably disappear after a good night's sleep, what made Yoon Hyun feel more embarrassed and annoyed was actually Yuri's little act of revenge.

Although Yuri herself had to get into the icy water to get Yoon Hyun to join, even if it was just for a moment... and during the subsequent filming, both Sunny and Yuri had apologized to Yoon Hyun, even if their apologies were still quite proud...

They were all such close friends that some things didn't need to be too formal. This wasn't the first time these girls had gone overboard with their jokes... The sweetness they had tasted on the KBS music stage before, they were now returning in KBS's variety show, which was quite reasonable...

As for the matter of his feet being soaked in icy water, Yoon Hyun himself really didn't mind. It was all for the show's effect and a little joke! Anyone who came to do a variety show should have this awareness; otherwise, this proposal would never have been unanimously approved by everyone after being proposed by Director Lu.

If he couldn't even accept this, he would be too sensitive. He might even be looked down upon and educated by the old hands like Yoo Jae-suk and Park Myung-soo...

But, it was really embarrassing! He claimed to be a wise man, but he was so openly outsmarted by Yuri.

This was a typical case of using public resources for personal gain! It was a move he was most skilled at and often used in "Infinite Challenge"!

To be outmaneuvered like this was a huge loss of face! Moreover, the scene of Yuri showing off the video to Sunny was captured by the camera and might be edited into the final cut, which meant he would probably not be able to hold his head up in front of this girl for a long time...

Otherwise... should he just avoid her?

As for the determination he had made in a fit of anger at the time, it was forgotten after a good night's sleep.

What he now had to worry about was how to avoid becoming a laughingstock in the mouths of those older brothers...

So, Yoon Hyun immediately gave up the idea of appearing on more variety shows and focused on his acting career.

By the end of March, the Baeksang Arts Awards officially kicked off.

As the only two actors from the "Dong Yi" production team participating in the Baeksang Arts Awards, Han Hyo-ju and Yoon Hyun represented the two hottest dramas of the previous year, "IRIS" and "Shining Inheritance," which, coincidentally, were not produced by MBC...

The Korean film and television industry in 2009 was truly stormy.

In the film industry, "Haeundae" almost completely disrupted the traditionally calm domestic film market in Korea, making Koreans deeply understand the feelings the Chinese had when facing Zhang Yimou's "Hero." Korean-style American blockbusters truly entered the vision of filmmakers. Therefore, the dominance of "Haeundae" in the film category at the Baeksang Arts Awards, which is always audience-oriented, was almost a foregone conclusion.

In the television industry, it was even more impressive. The three major TV stations coincidentally exerted their efforts this year. SBS's "Shining Inheritance" sounded the first call, followed by MBC's "Queen Seondeok," which created a fierce competition, both achieving excellent ratings of around 47%. Just as "Queen Seondeok" was slowly pulling ahead of the 28-episode "Shining Inheritance" due to its longer episode count, KBS finally made its move at the end of the year. "IRIS," with its Wednesday-Thursday drama format, almost touched the 60% rating ceiling, which was nothing short of a miracle.

Therefore, compared to the settled film category, the vibrant and unpredictable television category was clearly more exciting.

This was also why Kim Tae-hee and Lee Byung-hun insisted that Yoon Hyun attend the Baeksang Arts Awards.

Moreover, when the official nominations for the Baeksang Arts Awards were announced, Yoon Hyun had no choice but to attend. He had already won at least one award. He and Lim Yoon-ae, who starred in "Cinderella Man," jointly received the Best Popularity Award, which was announced in advance.

It was worth noting that even the Best Popularity Award had never been announced in advance in the past.

This time, the Baeksang Arts Awards announced it in advance, actually as a gesture of goodwill towards Yoon Hyun. They were a bit afraid that Yoon Hyun would refuse to attend due to the lingering resentment from two years ago, which would not be a good thing for the Baeksang Arts Awards organizing committee or the "IRIS" production team.

Fortunately, although Yoon Hyun was a very sensitive person, his pride was not too heavy. After receiving the goodwill from the Baeksang Arts Awards, he readily accepted the invitation to attend and even walk the red carpet.

Then he started to worry.

The red carpet was supposed to be arranged according to the production team. However, Kim Tae-hee and Lee Byung-hun were definitely going to walk the red carpet together. Another close friend, Han Hyo-ju, was also definitely going to walk the red carpet with her co-star, Lee Seung-gi.

In the "IRIS" production team, Kim So-yeon and Kim Sung-woo, the on-screen siblings, were also going to walk together.

Then Yoon Hyun found himself in the position of being the one no one wanted.

To avoid having to walk the red carpet with the director, Yoon Hyun gritted his teeth and dialed a number he hadn't called for over a year.

"Hello, who is this?" A female voice came from the other end of the line.

"Um... is this Yoon-a xi?"

"Who is this?"

"Yoon-a, don't you have my number saved in your phone?" A cross appeared on Yoon Hyun's forehead.

"Who is this?" The other end still asked seriously.

"Yoon Hyun."

"Yoon Hyun... Ah! Yoon Hyun oppa! It's been a long time. Is this your number? Oh, I haven't seen it since I got a new phone, so I didn't recognize it." Then came a fake laugh from the other end.

Yoon Hyun could easily imagine what state Yoon-a was in. New phone? You can even lie like that?

"Yoon-a, why are you calling me?"

"Yoon Hyun nim, we are competitors now." Yoon-a's voice was serious.

"Hey, it's just that I took a few wins from you. Is that such a big deal?" Yoon Hyun was speechless. But he also felt a bit embarrassed. Last week, he had just completed his third consecutive win with his second lead single, while Girls' Generation's highly anticipated lead single had only won one on "Popular Songs" so far...

"We admit defeat gracefully. But, Yoon Hyun nim, is there anything important you want to talk about, or are you just calling to tease me? If not, I need to continue practicing. The early bird gets the worm..."

Yoon Hyun didn't hear any sense of acceptance from Yoon-a, only resentment. "Yoon-a, how can you be such a sore loser? I remember when you declared war on me at the comeback stage, you were very determined."

"Do you know that because of you, our promotion period was extended by two whole months!"

"Oh, so you were trying to be lazy and failed! Anyway, are you going to walk the red carpet with Kang Soo-hyun oppa at the Baeksang Arts Awards?"

"Kang Soo-hyun oppa will probably attend, but he might not walk the red carpet with me. So, Yoon Hyun oppa, are you asking me? Aren't you afraid that Tae-yeon will be jealous?... Ah! Tae-yeon, what are you doing!"

Yoon Hyun was sweating. "Are you on speakerphone?"

"Yes. We just finished practicing. We have to win another one this week." Yoon-a's resentment flared up again, "To avoid any suspicion of a deal with you, the big devil, I have to let the others hear what you say."

"So, you still have my number saved, right?" Yoon Hyun seized the opportunity.

"Hey! That's not the point! The point is: if you ask me, Tae-yeon will be sad!" Yoon-a shouted, probably struggling with Tae-yeon, "You don't know how much Tae-yeon has defended you when we were cursing you... When Yuri brought back that video, Tae-yeon was almost in tears... Ah! Tae-yeon, what are you touching! Stop! This isn't the dorm, someone might come in!"

Yoon Hyun was petrified on the other end of the line. The mental image was too vivid to bear...

"Hey! Sun-kyu! What are you doing here! I'm on the phone!"

"Yoon-a, about the red carpet... let's walk together. Since we both won the popularity award, it makes sense, right?"

"Tae-yeon... Ah, I'm scared..."

"Give the phone to Tae-yeon, I'll talk to her."

Then came a burst of laughter and commotion, and someone even whistled...

"Yoon Hyun oppa, don't listen to Yoon-a... " Tae-yeon's voice came from the phone.

"Turn off the speaker, there are some things I don't want them to hear."

"Wow!" The other end immediately became agitated.

But it seemed Tae-yeon obediently turned off the speaker, as the commotion instantly stopped.

"Oppa, what is it?"

"Regardless of what Yoon-a said, I want to thank you."

"Oppa, don't listen to Yoon-a. Everyone understands, and your songs are really good."

"Tae-yeon, I remember I told you before that a sister and a mother are different. Do you remember?"

"I'm sorry, oppa."

"Don't apologize so quickly! I'm not blaming you."

"Oppa, are you going to continue promoting?"

"I probably will. Is S.M. requiring you to win three times?"

"Yes. So everyone's mood has been a bit..."

"Although I want to say I can let you win first and then continue promoting... but that would be impolite, and I believe you wouldn't accept it, right?"

"Although oppa sings better than us, we won't give up."

"Tae-yeon, I have a few things to say... but..."

"It's okay, oppa. I know you mean well. I'll listen carefully. Should I turn on the speaker so everyone can hear?"

"I'm not your teacher... it's not necessary... I just want to talk to you as a friend."

Suddenly, a sense of loneliness washed over Yoon Hyun. The words he wanted to say vanished.

"Then... oppa, go ahead."

"I listened to your new album. The songs are actually pretty good."

"The company and Yu Yong-jin teacher worked hard on the album."

"But you haven't made any progress in singing over the past year. Not only no progress, but it seems to have regressed." Yoon Hyun's words were sincere but harsh, "At the comeback stage, you might have been rushed, so I won't comment on that, but until last week, how many times have you performed this song? How can someone still be off the beat?"

Tae-yeon didn't respond.

"Moreover, I specifically listened to your parts in the album. I didn't feel any improvement. The same problems are still there. Was it because you were too busy last year?"

"Last year's schedule was quite full..."

"The company signed you to make money, so a full schedule is natural. But that shouldn't conflict with your own development... I said something I shouldn't have, I'm sorry..."

"No, oppa, you're right, I'll listen carefully."

"From your perspective, my standards for you are indeed high. Compared to Yoon-a, whose acting has clearly regressed, you are already doing well."

"Yoon-a will be sad if she hears that."

"Don't worry, I'll talk to her in person at the Baeksang."

"Oppa... I want to ask, the song you promised to write for me..."

"I know many people are asking to collaborate with you now."

"But oppa's songs are special."

"Okay, I'll try."

"Okay, oppa, Yoon-a is eager for the phone, I'll give it to her."

"Okay." Yoon Hyun could tell Tae-yeon had more to say.

"Hey! Oppa, be careful. The company is very strict about dating. And what did you say about me just now?" Yoon-a's voice was already on the phone.

"Let's walk the red carpet together this weekend. Should I pick you up or you pick me up?" Yoon Hyun was not polite to Yoon-a. For example, he ignored her question.

"That day is Friday, we still have to promote. Aren't you promoting too?"

"I plan to take a two-week break before the third wave. Do you want me to come?"

"Sure, come on! We're not afraid of you!"

"Never mind, it's tiring, and I need to catch up on some acting. I'll pick you up at KBS."

"Okay. See you then. By the way, Yuri asked if your feet still hurt. She said using hot water to treat frostbite is very effective..."

Yoon Hyun hung up the phone without hesitation.

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